Seattle Animal Shelter news and events

Archives for September 2015

On Thursday, Sept. 24, Seattle Animal Shelter staff participated in “Remember Me Thursday,” a global effort to honor the millions of pets who lose their lives without a loving home as well as to shine a light on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption.

We are fortunate that Seattle Animal Shelter is able to save so many lives and ensure that the animals who come through our doors meet the kindness and care of our shelter staff, volunteers, foster parents and adopters. On Remember Me Thursday, we stood united with pet lovers and animal welfare organizations around the globe in a worldwide pet candle-lighting ceremony.

In advance of the Sept. 28 World Rabies Day, which raises awareness of and promotes rabies prevention worldwide, the Seattle Animal Shelter is encouraging pet owners to do their part by vaccinating their pets. If your pet is not up to date on its rabies vaccination, make plans to come by the Seattle Animal Shelter’s “Protect Your Pet” license, rabies and microchip event, from 3-6 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. The next clinic is Friday, Sept. 25.

Bring your cat or dog to the shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., Seattle, and receive a free rabies vaccination with the purchase or renewal of the pet’s license during this event. These monthly events are held in partnership with Good Neighbor Vet, which provides the vaccinations in its mobile unit.

“Up-to-date pet licenses, vaccinations and microchips are essential, easy ways to protect our pets,” notes Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter director. “Pet licenses often work hand in hand with microchips to help us get lost pets home safely, and license fees support the lifesaving work of our shelter. Vaccinations save lives by preventing the spread of disease. Our goal is to save lives, and these are ways that pet owners can help.”

Rabies is a deadly virus that can affect both people and animals, but is preventable. Owners can prevent the spread of rabies by vaccinating pets and keeping them away from infected wildlife. According to the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County, bats are the primary carriers of rabies in Washington state. Just two summers ago, a rabid bat was found in Madison Park in Seattle. Though rabies cases are rare, it is important to vaccinate pets to prevent them from contracting and spreading the disease if they come into contact with infected wildlife.

Cats and dogs are required to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies under Seattle Municipal Code 9.25.050 and Washington Administrative Code 246-100-197. One- to two-year pet license fees range from $20 to $37 for spayed and neutered pets and $30 to $69 for unaltered pets.

The Protect Your Pet events offer services on a first-come, first-served basis. All dogs must be leashed, and all cats must be in carriers. Previous vaccination records are not required, but you are encouraged to bring them, if available. Additional vaccinations and microchips will be available for an added fee.

The Seattle Animal Shelter and Lynnwood Honda invite you to a free weekend barbecue and to “Fall in Love with a Pre-owned Pet,” this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lynnwood Honda, 22020 Highway 99, Edmonds. Come by for the barbecue, meet some of Seattle Animal Shelter’s adoptable dogs, cats and critters, and learn about shelter programs, including fostering pets in your home and how to obtain a pet license or low-cost spay/neuter surgery.

The animals at Saturday’s event will be available for on-site adoptions, for a special $15 fee.

“The Seattle Animal Shelter has incredible animals in need of forever homes,” said Don Jordan, shelter director. “I hope this special price encourages folks to consider adopting one of the animals we’ll feature on Saturday. This is a great opportunity to save a life and add immeasurable joy to your family.”

With regular adoption prices ranging from $15 to $145 (plus applicable license fees), this promotion offers up to $130 in savings. The adoption fee includes:

Certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians

Initial vaccinations

Spay or neuter

Microchip

Deworming

Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus testing (cats only)

Two cans of food

For Seattle residents, a two-year pet license must be purchased with each adoption. The license fee is $27 for cats and $37 for dogs. Critter adoptions do not require licensing.

In a partnership with the Seattle Animal Shelter, from now through the end of the year Lynnwood Honda will be making a donation to the shelter for every new car test drive.

“Lynnwood Honda has been a generous contributor to the Seattle Animal Shelter,” Jordan said. “We look forward to joining Lynnwood Honda’s staff and customers this weekend for what is sure to be a fun event. We appreciate this opportunity that we hope will result in finding loving homes for our animals.”

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-7387 (PETS), or view animals available for adoption online at www.seattleanimalshelter.org. Adoptable pets are also featured on “Pet of the Week” on the Seattle Channel at http://www.seattlechannel.org/CityStream/Pets.

The Seattle Animal Shelter will host a cat adoptathon on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, at the Meadowbrook Community Center, located at 10517 35th Ave. NE, Seattle. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. and features numerous kittens and cats of different breeds. Cats available at this event have been living with foster parents, who are available at the event to share information about the personality and habits of the cats with potential adopters, helping to make a perfect match.

“With our monthly neighborhood adoptathons, we hope to continue to spread the word about the joys and value of adopting shelter pets and saving lives. If you have room in your home and your heart for an orphaned animal, this is a great opportunity to come and see some of the wonderful pets available from our foster-care parents,” said Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter director.

The Seattle Animal Shelter has a foster-care program to rehabilitate sick and immature dogs and cats. Donations from the city’s “Help the Animals Fund” pay for veterinary care for these animals while they are being fostered.

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-7387 (PETS), or view animals available for adoption online at www.seattleanimalshelter.org. Adoptable pets are also featured on “Pet of the Week” on the Seattle Channel at http://www.seattlechannel.org/CityStream/Pets.

The Seattle Animal Shelter extends BIG THANKS to BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Seattle and Renton for recently donating time and services to the shelter. When we took custody of the 44 animals last week, three BluePearl veterinarians worked with us at the shelter to assess and provide medical care for the animals as they were brought in.

The BluePearl team did all of their work pro bono! We’ve been fortunate to have BluePearl Veterinary Partners (formerly ACCES) as one of our longtime veterinary associates, and we are grateful for their partnership and dedication to animal welfare.